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Writer's pictureChristina Boyd

Some Jolly News: Must Hope, Trust, Believe

Updated: Aug 7, 2023


December 2022 "On Dits" Newsletter Cover

It's Christmas Eve morning, and the house is quiet, but for the jingling of Zelda the Beastie's dog tags.

gray dog in front of Christmas tree
Zelda the Beastie, my one-year-old silver Labrador

We've had a lot of snow and now freezing rain here in the Pacific Northwest—not at all typical—so I anticipate a quiet dinner at home with MrB, my oldest, and maybe my mother and stepfather if the roads are better by the evening. Still, a third of my heart is around the world this Christmas as my youngest is on a ship for "sea year," fulfilling college requirements for the US Merchant Marine Academy.


Photo Christmas cards.
Boyd family photo card for 2022. A unique year indeed.

One of the things I love most about Christmas is the abundance of real mail: newsletters, handwritten notes, photo cards, and even thoughtful gifts. I laughed reading author Christina Morland's annual newsletter, paralleling her family letter to a quote from Jane Austen's Emma: "one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or

repeated—or two things moderately clever—or three things very dull indeed." I love all the newsy bits!



On that note, I have a bookish announcement. And what jolly news right before Christmas! Woman in the Painting, my unpublished debut novel, placed second in Hearts Through History, Romance Writers of America's Romance Through the Ages Contest. Though I didn't win, receiving such comments from industry professionals is encouraging.


Please know how much I appreciate you and your enthusiasm on this road to publication for my debut novel. Writing is often a lonely venture, but I write so much better when I'm happy and hopeful; your encouragement through social media has been invaluable. To my clients, thank you for trusting me with your words. I've loved the process of helping your prose become a polished book. I'm looking forward to the next exciting chapter in 2023!

Nest with three eggs with the words: hope. trust, believe. Set in a lit Christmas tree.
Hope. Trust. Believe. Three sentiments for 2023.


I re-watched Love Actually the other night and tried to pick my favorite storyline. But these are my favorite lines for sure: "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there—fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge—they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around." Wishing you peace, joy, and love from our house to yours.

Night time. Snowy walkway lit by Christmas lights on snow-covered shrubbery.
Wishing you peace, joy, and love from our house to yours.






6 Kommentare


Christina Morland
Christina Morland
29. Dez. 2022

Congratulations, Christina! That is such wonderful news about your book! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos, thoughts, and hopes for the new year. Best, Christina M.

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Christina Boyd
Christina Boyd
29. Dez. 2022
Antwort an

So good to hear from you. I hope you are writing! Thank you for your encouragement always.

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joana_sw
27. Dez. 2022

What a beautiful post, Christina! Thinking of you while a third of your heart is sailing around the world, and congrats for the words of praise from the judge. I so wish they came with fireworks and the first prize! Your wonderful book deserves so much love! Here's to huge success in 2023 and all good things for you and all your loved ones! xx

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Christina Boyd
Christina Boyd
27. Dez. 2022
Antwort an

Many thanks for your continued support. I am ever hopeful for the WOMAN IN THE PAINTING! And to travel back to the UK and meet up again. We are overdue.

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Gast
25. Dez. 2022

I'm so proud for your sake, Christina. I feel that heart separated vibe, with your baby missing from Christmas this year. I'll wish you blessed holidays, Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year and keep watching for news of your book's publication.

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Christina Boyd
Christina Boyd
26. Dez. 2022
Antwort an

Thank you for your kind sentiments! Wish you and yours a blessed holiday season and even better 2023!

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